50 Interviews presents: 50 Athletes over 50 by Don McGrath

Terry Peterson, 53Redondo Beach, CAMountain Unicyclist

“Not too old or Two Tired.”

Gerard Moreno, 52

Los Angeles, CA

Paralympian fencer

Off-road wheelchair racer

“It’s the journey,

not the destination.”

“I just wish everyone were as

fortunate as I am. I feel very

blessed to be a paralympian, and

I find joy in other people and in

being on this earth.”

Gerard Moreno, 52

Los Angeles, CA

Paralympian fencer

Off-road wheelchair racer

George Hurley, 74

Wonalancet, NH

Rock Climber

(photo by Anne Skidmore)

“I’m inspired by the fun of climbing, the fun

of adventure, the fun of exploring, and by

finding something new to climb.”

Gale Bernhardt, 50

Loveland, CO

Cyclist/Triathlete

“I’m training for life,

because it requires

tremendous endurance.”

Ed Shaw, 67

Fort Collins, CO

Cyclist, Runner

“One thing I’ve found is

the old guys don’t get

faster, but the fast guys

do get older.”

Bob Rodacy, 54

Boulder, CO

Archer, Weight Lifter

“Today is the first day of

the rest of my life.”

“Life is very much like mountain

unicycling. Its not about avoiding the

obstacles, but meeting them head on

and overcoming them.”Terry Peterson, 53

Redondo Beach, CA

Mountain Unicyclist

Carl Bamforth, 54

Victoria, BC

In-line Skater

“Taking the lead is

heaven. Holding it is hell.

Welcome to hell!”

Cheryl Ragsdale, 57

Boston, MA

Boxer, Martial Arts

“Being the only woman in

the boxing gym

unexpectedly lifted my

gentleness.”

Chris Scotto Divetta, 52

Novi, MI

Track Runner

“Prepare for everything, fear

nothing.”

Gerard Moreno, 52

Los Angeles, CA

Paralympian fencer

Off-road wheelchair racer

“The person who can adapt

most easily and continue to

fight, is the one who will

prevail.”

Dave “Lucky” Dyc, 71

Santa Cruz, CA

Outrigger Canoe Paddler

“There’s only one captain in the

boat, and if your not him, shut

up and paddle.”

Don Ardell, 71

St. Petersburg, FL

Triathlete

“Plato told us that to know great

fulfillment, we must know

suffering. We athletes know this

well.”

“Victory belongs to an

antagonist who knows how

to suffer one quarter hour

longer”

Sandy Scott, 69

Seminole, FL

Cyclist

Don Sherrill, 65

Stone Mt., GA

Power Lifter

“A foolish consistency is the

hobgoblin of little minds,

adored by little statesmen,

philosophers and divines.”

Ed Shaw, 67

Fort Collins, CO

Cyclist, Runner

“I may not be able to climb

Mount Evans as fast as Lance

Armstrong can, but I can climb

with the same effort and get

the same feeling. Isn’t that

cool?”

Loretta Claiborne, 56

York, PA

Runner, Skating, Soccer, Tennis,

Special Olympian

“If I can win, let me win; if I

cannot win, then let me be

brave in the attempt.”

Gene GeBauer, 74

Denver, CO

Tap Dancer

“If the journey from Kamakura

to Kyoto takes 14 days and you

quit on the 13th day, you will

never see the moon rise over

the capitol – Never give up!”

Ward Smith, 61Aptos, CASurfer

“Surf NOW!”

Russ Clune, 50

New Paltz, NY

Rock Climber

(photo by Matt Calardo)

“It’s always later than you think. When you

die and you have money on the table and

in the bank, you’ve run out of the most

precious thing – time. Don’t waste it.”

George Hurley, 74

Wonalancet, NH

Rock Climber

(photo by Anne Skidmore)

“Don’t think your sport is

important, it’s fun!”

Jim Broun, 57

Sarasota, FL

Hurdler, sprinter

“Life should not be a

journey to the grave with

the intention of arriving in

a pretty, well preserved

body, but rather to skid in

broadside, in a cloud of

dust, thoroughly used up,

totally worn out, and

declare, WOW, What a

Ride!”

Jerry Smartt, 78

Warsaw, MO

Distance Runner

“From the time I was a young

boy, I’ve always loved a

footrace.”

Katy Okuyama, 53

Honalulu, HI

Surfer

“My older brother used to surf,

and when he left for college, I took

his surfboard!”

Kim Williams, 54

Portland, ME

Field Events

“The will to win is nothing

without the will to prepare.”

Linda Quirk, 56

Jacksonville, FL

Marathoner

“If you can see it, you can do it, if

you believe it, it will happen, so

DREAM BIG!”

Loretta Claiborne, 56

York, PA

Runner, Skating, Soccer, Tennis,

Special Olympian

“Running is part of my transportation.

Some people hop in their cars; I hop

on my feet.”

Robbi Young, 51

Erie, CO

Triathlete

A friend gave me great advice

when they looked at me and

asked, “Why CAN’T you do

this?”

Myrna Hagg, 51

Tampa, FL

Triathlete

“Enthusiasm is huge! It’s bigger

than intelligence, it’s bigger than

wealth…behind all great

achievements is tremendous

enthusiasm.”

Merrill Schwartz, 67

San Francisco, CA

Triathlete

“Be committed and

follow through.”

Rich Davis, 54

Fort Collins, CO

Triathlete

“I don’t workout…I play.”

Russ Clune, 50

New Paltz, NY

Rock Climber

“My ultimate achievement is

that I get to travel the world

and climb in great places with

great people.”

Sid Howard, 70

Plainfield, NJ

Runner

“My father told me that if you never

hold your head too high in victory, you

will never have to hang it in defeat.”

Stephen Black, 57

Lafayette, CO

Triathlete

“It can be difficult to make the

transition from podium to

lifestyle. Triathlons helped me

make that transition. I liked the

way I felt and the way I looked

in the mirror, so I decided that I

would perpetuate that as long

as possible.”

Suzy Devers, 57

Erie, CO

In-line/Ice Speed Skater

“Taking skating up again as an adult

has reconnected me with the times

when I was young and would skate

with my father and sisters. Such a

wonderful time in my life.”

Sandy Scott, 69Seminole, FLCyclist

“Growing older can be a

fantastic experience if you lift

weights, eat right, get aerobic

exercise, have good

relationships, have goals,

exercise your mind and body,

have a positive outlook, and

get regular medical check-

ups.”

“The best surfer in the

water is the one having

the most fun.”Ward Smith, 61Aptos, CASurfer

Carol Jean Vosburgh, 63Treasure Island, FLCyclist/Triathlete

“Live life passionately,

with no regrets.”

Maria Riquet, 57Saint Petersburg, FLBodybuilder

“Never give up!”

Cheryl Ragsdale, 57Boston, MABoxer, Martial Arts

“The first time I

boxed, I lit up. It

brings out the

warrior in me”